AUGUSTA — A jury on Tuesday convicted a city man of his ninth drunken driving charge.
Peter J. Dubord, 54, who had been free on bail, was taken into custody immediately following the verdict in the Kennebec County Superior Court case heard in the Capital Judicial Center. A sentencing hearing will be set later by the court.
“I am thankful that the jury paid close attention to the evidence as we were not allowed to tell them about Mr. Dubord’s eight prior OUIs,” District Attorney Maeghan Maloney said via email on Wednesday. “A not guilty would have created a serious risk to public safety.”
Dubord also was convicted of operating beyond license restriction which prohibited him from having any alcohol in his system while driving. The offense occurred Sept. 28 in China.
“I’m very disappointed in the verdict,” said Dubord’s attorney, Darrick Banda. “There was a significant reasonable doubt as to the reliability of the breath test and on the issue of whether or not he was impaired.”
Dubord testified in his own defense.
The trial lasted a day and a half, and the jury deliberated less than half an hour before returning a verdict.
Dubord had eight previous convictions for drunken driving beginning in 1997. Records in Augusta courts show convictions from 1997, 2001 and 2007 and that he served nine months behind bars for one of those convictions. On Tuesday, Dubord was convicted of aggravated operating under the influence, a felony-level charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Four other people were sentenced Tuesday in separate hearings in Augusta District and Kennebec County Superior court cases heard at the Capital Judicial Center.
• Caitlynn Harriman, 22, of Augusta, theft by receiving stolen property Sept. 23 in Augusta; 90-day jail sentence all suspended, one year administrative release, $85 restitution.
• Ryan Knight, 30, of Embden, domestic violence assault Jan. 3, 2013, in Waterville; 364-day jail sentence all suspended, one year probation.
• Billy Pizarro, 34, of Augusta, violating condition of release April 12 in Waterville; 15-day jail sentence, credit for time served.
• Jason M. Wing, 35, of Augusta, operating after habitual offender revocation June 19 in Gardiner; six-month jail sentence, $1,000 fine.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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